San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster may not be singing sweet home Alabama today following an arrest for second degree cannabis possession by the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s office. For someone who had a dilute sample at the combine, Foster putting himself in a position to get caught was an error in judgment. At the same time, he, and many black men, are victims of racist drug laws that are no doubt harsher below the Mason Dixon line.

Most NFL beat writers and those who are compelled to adhere to the status quo and inside-the-box thinking are ripping Foster for his error in judgment, reminding us all how cannabis is banned as part of the NFL collective bargaining agreement and illegal in Alabama. Their point is valid but do not consider that the institutional racism that has been integrated into drug legislation in the United States to target black people have caused much more damage to African American communities than Foster’s offense.

While some internet tough guys shared opinions like this:

I'm gonna tell you a secret but don't tell anyone else, white people get arrested for illegal drugs in alabama...